Name: Spiny spider crab
Scientific Name: Maja squinado (Herbst, 1788)
Family: Majidae
Group: Crabs, shrimps and other small critters
Class: Invertebrates
Size: 26-50 cm.
The spiny spider crab lives in sandy or rocky bottoms rich in seaweed, at depths up to about 50 m. It has the unusual habit of camouflaging itself with algae, sponges and small rocks and shells, which it is constantly placing on top of its carapace. In this way, it is perfectly concealed and blends with the environment in which it lives. The females mate only after discarding their shell, and until the formation of a new one, are quite vulnerable. For this reason, several males form a barrier surrounding the female in order to protect her and their descendants during this delicate phase.
Photo by:
Júlio Reis
North Atlantic
